This revival of the original West End show which ran in London 10 years ago is now playing at the Brixton Club House in South London.

“I was only told on the day that Steve was turning up on the day and at the last minute,” adds Owain. “So I did feel a bit of pressure because obviously you want to do a good job and portray the character correctly.

“Also in the crowd was Boy George (who wrote the music for Taboo) and Phillip Sallon, so it was an absolute privilege to have them with us.”

The 26-year-old actor from St Clears, near Carmarthen, says the musical is a rollercoaster of emotions for all the cast, which also includes The Voice’s Sam Buttery.

“Some elements of the story are quite emotional for young actors to be playing, as it touches upon the drugs scene of the time and the HIV epidemic, so it is quite tumultuous to go through.

“In one scene you might be dancing on top of a bar having the time of your life in a blond wig, the next scene all your make-up might be smudged and you’re suffering from a heroin hangover.”

Owain has been appearing in Taboo since it opened in September last year, although it has recently continued its run with various cast member changes. The revival, however, has been a huge critical success, recently scooping a number of awards, including theatrical event of the year.

The performer, who has been regularly popping up on S4C in presenting roles on shows such as Y Lifft, and Tag, says the show allows him to relive an era he hitherto had little knowledge of.

“I was born in 1986, but I don’t particularly remember much about it. What’s been great is that it’s given me a proper nostalgia trip to the decade I was born in.

“It’s allowed me to research and discover the decade. I feel like I’ve got a new sense of identity as it were.”

He also admits, to his shame, that he didn’t know who Steve Strange was before going for the role.

“I’ll be honest I hadn’t really heard of him before Taboo. I’d heard of [Boy] George, so when I was auditioning I thought I’d best look him up and I found these brilliant videos of him on YouTube back in his ‘80s heyday.

“Then I found this crazy interview with a German television show, which was about 20 minutes long with Steve talking about the New Romantic scene.

“With Steve, he’s a funny old thing to play,” adds Owain. “When I first got the script I assumed that he would have an over the top, camp, Welsh accent, but it’s not like that at all. His voice is very slurry and goes from here to there. So, I wanted to do him justice.”

Portraying someone so flamboyant also presented its own off-stage issues.

“When we started I would leave a good hour to get ready because Steve’s Visage style make up is very intricate, but now I can do it in 15 minutes,” says Owain.

“I’m quite a dab hand at it. It’s a whole plethora of powder, brushes and glitters. It’s hilarious. It leaves stains on your pillows when you go to bed, no matter how many times you try and wash your face, but it’s a lot of fun.”

The Brixton Club House is an ideal venue for the musical according to the actor, as the cast can get up close and personal with the audience.

“It’s a working club venue. What they’ve done is converted one of the club rooms into a performance space which is really cool, because the subject matter of the piece is mainly set in the club scene of the ’80s. It’s really fitting that we’re performing with the audience sat very close, cabaret style with tables and chairs and lamps.

“There’s no real stage, just a raised platform and a catwalk going through the audience. As a show it’s very in your face. As the actors are almost in the crowd it welcomes them into this world. By the end the audience feels like it’s had a real flashback to the ’80s. That’s the thrill of the piece.”

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